Ravens know the football is heading A.J. Green's way

Quarterback Andy Dalton and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden are intent on getting the football in the hands of Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green.

Green was targeted 18 times during a 13-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, catching 10 passes for 116 yards with a clutch 21-yarder in the fourth quarter to set up the game-winning field goal. In the fourth quarter alone, Green caught five passes for 78 yards.

"Yeah, that's what they do," said cornerback Cary Williams, who will draw the assignment of primarily guarding Green. "He's their best player. He's a first-round draft pick. It's just another test, another opportunity to play at a high level.

"We look forward to the challenge. It's a part of the game. Every team has a great wide receiver. You have to cover and show your ability. It's just another test."

For the season, Green has caught 95 passes for 1,324 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The Ravens have a solid track record of containing Green since he entered the NFL last year after a standout career at the University of Georgia.

The athletic 6-foot-4, 207-pounder has caught just seven passes for 96 yards in two career games against Baltimore, including five catches for 70 yards in a season-opening loss to the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

"He's a great ballplayer, he's a tall guy, a speed guy, he makes tough catches," Ravens cornerback Corey Graham said. "I saw a miraculous one-handed catch he made in the end zone. He makes plays for those guys. They're obviously going to try to get the ball in his hands.

"Who wouldn't? He's a playmaker. You know they're going to go to him. You got to make plays. You got to try to find ways to make plays against him. You got to give him and the quarterback different looks."